5 Reasons To Choose Being Single, Than Being In a Bad Relationship.

Fear of being alone can cause people to make bad choices when it comes to relationships.

Fear of being alone can cause people to make bad choices when it comes to relationships.

In fact, according to a study by the University of Toronto (U of T), the fear of being single is a meaningful predictor of settling for less in relationships among both men and women.

“Those with stronger fears about being single are willing to settle for less in their relationships,” says lead author Stephanie Spielmann, a postdoctoral researcher in the University of Toronto’s Department of Psychology. “Sometimes they stay in relationships they aren’t happy in, and sometimes they want to date people who aren’t very good for them.”

She adds, “Now we understand that people’s anxieties about being single seem to play a key role in these types of unhealthy relationship behaviors.”

“In our results we see men and women having similar concerns about being single, which lead to similar coping behaviors, contradicting the idea that only women struggle with a fear of being single,” says co-author, Professor Geoff MacDonald of the University of Toronto’s Department of Psychology. “Loneliness is a painful experience for both men and women, so it’s not surprising that the fear of being single seems not to discriminate on the basis of gender.”

But if you’re someone who doesn’t feel pressure to settle and really embrace the perks of being single, here are a few things to remember before making a bad choice when it comes to love.

1. You are enough.

The mainstream media is filled with really unhealthy messages regarding relationships. For example, many say that you need another person to make the holidays complete or to make you happy. These romantic notions work great in books and on the Hallmark Channel, but when taken literally, these ideas are destructive.

You are always a whole and indivisible being, capable of immense self-love, self-acceptance, and sexuality. Appreciate yourself and know that you’re not alone in your singleness.

2. You made a choice to be single because you want to be single.

Although it sounds ass-backward, this is a paradigm shift that will help you in the long run. By consciously making the choice to be single, if will shift the way you view your life and how you live it when it comes to sharing that information with your co-workers, family, and friends. You are making this decision, so be proud.

3. You are in control of your own life.

Instead of remaining the victim of your own fear of being single, take control. Tell yourself that you are actively remaining single for the holidays.

If you do plan to date every once in a while, make sure the dates are fun and give you ample time to get to know someone. There’s no rush and no pressure, just fun.

4. Do whatever you want.

In the end, your relationship status is a personal choice — there is no right or wrong, no good or bad. Instead of being the victim of cultural assumptions and societal norms, take the time to find out how you really would like to engage with other people.

What do you think?

iLOVESTRONG coach Keith works with individuals and couples to help them achieve the kind of relationship they envisioned when they first made their commitment to love. Strengthening communication and revitalizing their understanding and empathy for each other helps couples regain the romance and closeness they long for – even in their everyday “real” world.

Having a coach is like having a GPS for life. Keith can help you get a realistic picture of where you are and focus on the best path forward toward your goals. Unlike counseling, iLOVESTRONG focuses on the future, not the past.

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